DETROIT — I wasn't surprised the Rockies were bystanders at the trade deadline. I never thought they'd play let's make a deal with baseball's big boys. But the danger now becomes that they will be wallflowers during the offseason. If they do that, 2015 will be another disaster.

So the pressure is on the front office. By doing nothing Thursday, the Rockies delivered a clear "wait 'til next year" message.

"We would have entertained a deal as far as making us better in 2015," assistant general manager Bill Geivett said. "Although we were active and had some talks, we really weren't moved to the point where we had anything that would significantly affect us next season."

And the truth is, management believes in its core group of players. Take away all of the injuries and Geivett, manager Walt Weiss and even veteran players such as Michael Cuddyer really believe the 2014 team could have been a contender.

"If we can start next season exactly the same as this season, I would feel comfortable again," Weiss said. "I'm not saying that's going to be the case, (but) the personnel we started the season with, I felt very good about."

I also thought the Rockies would be good this season. Not playoff good, but 83-wins good and building toward something. But if the Rockies really think all the building blocks they need are already in place for 2015, they are fooling themselves.

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The starting pitching remains an unsolved mystery.

Even if the Rockies spend a minimum of $26 million to bring back left-handers Jorge De La Rosa and Brett Anderson, they're still in a precarious situation. Right-hander Tyler Chatwood isn't coming back next year after undergoing Tommy John surgery. It's doubtful that right-hander Jhoulys Chacin, scratched for most of this season because of a serious shoulder injury, will ever be the pitcher who went 14-10 with a 3.47 ERA in 2013.

Young lefty Tyler Matzek and right-handed prospects Eddie Butler and Jon Gray could fill rotation spots. So could Jordan Lyles. But all are unproven. So the Rockies must spend money during the offseason to acquire a proven veteran pitcher.

The bullpen remains a disaster. That's a whole column by itself.

The few times that the Rockies have been contenders, they were solid in the bullpen. They have no choice but to retool there. I think Rex Brothers will bounce back. But who knows whether Boone Logan will ever be worth the three-year, $16.6 million investment?

The Rockies' everyday lineup — if healthy, and that's a big if — remains potent. But there will be suitors for Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez during the offseason. Tulowitzki is owed $133 million from 2015-20. Gonzalez is owed $53 million from 2015-17. What team owner Dick Monfort ultimately does with those two stars will determine the Rockies' immediate and long-term future.

Catcher remains a conundrum. Wilin Rosario has improved only slightly behind the plate — and he's really beat up. He entered Saturday hitting only .244 this year, with nine homers. It could be that we have seen his best days as a power-hitting catcher. Shipping him to the American League to be a backup catcher and a designated hitter would be best for all concerned. With young pitchers on the horizon, the Rockies absolutely need a dependable veteran catcher in 2015.

The bottom line, and the harsh truth: The Rockies are further from being a contender now than they were at the start of spring training. Bold moves will be required for them to become a contender in 2015.